Portimao: Chris van der Drift race report

Opportunity for Chris van der Drift vanishes
PORTIMAO - After all the setbacks of recent race-weekends in the Renault
World Series 3.5, Chris van der Drift was hoping for a problem free time
at the new circuit of Autodromo Internacional do...

Opportunity for Chris van der Drift vanishes

PORTIMAO - After all the setbacks of recent race-weekends in the Renault
World Series 3.5, Chris van der Drift was hoping for a problem free time
at the new circuit of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal over
the weekend. And it was looking very promising with a front row start in
the weekend's first scheduled race. However the satisfaction of starting
on grid two turned quickly into disappointment when the Kiwi was hit from
behind in turn one just after race start. Race two brought the New
Zealander more fortune, with a seventh place finish, and four points in
the championship.

After having to contend with brake issues in the Thursday testing
session, the team renewed the complete system in readiness for Friday's
practice and qualifying sessions. Despite a small gearbox problem, and a
driver on a slow down lap, the current Formula Master Champion ensured
himself of a Row One start for the first race, and a grid eight start for
the second race, also held on the Saturday.

A possible win, however, was not to be. A hit from behind by team-mate
Dani Clos in the first corner made it impossible to continue racing,
leaving the New Zealander with no choice but to park his car in pit-lane.
It later transpired that Clos had a problem with his gearbox attributing
to the collision between the two Euskadi Epsilon team drivers. "I had
seen that Dani wasn't that close to me after the race had started",
said Van der Drift. "I chose to tuck in behind the leader heading into
the corner, and suddenly I had a hard hit from behind by my team-mate. I
couldn't believe it. It was just so disappointing; it was quite possible
to finish in a podium position even to win the race. Again more trouble
for me. And the thing is it must also be so disappointing for the team,
we could have both finished with a great result."

Due to the hot temperatures at the circuit, several of the 3.5litre
Renault motors expired during testing and others were found to be damaged
and needed replacing. After qualifying, it was also found that the New
Zealander's motor was damaged and needed replacement. Due to the
collision in race one, it was only in race two that it could be seen that
the setup of the new motor was not ideal. "The car seemed to feel ok,
but I was lacking top end speed", explained Van der Drift. "The car was
good in the corners but trying to slipstream down the straight to make a
pass was next to impossible". The Kiwi finally finished the race in
seventh position.

The following World Series by Renault races are scheduled for the weekend
of 18 to 20 September at the German circuit of Nurburgring.